Capital Brewery is a brewery located in Middleton, Wisconsin. Founded on March 14, 1984, by Madison, Wisconsin entrepreneur Ed Janus, it is in a former egg processing plant. The company first began production in spring, 1986, and now produces 22,000 barrels of beer annually. It produces 16 distinct beers, of which eight are annuals, four are seasonals, and four are limited release. Most are made using the strict Reinheitsgebot guidelines.  The company’s brews have won individual awards at a number of competitions, including the Great American Beer Festival, and The Great Taste of the Midwest. The brewery was awarded the distinction of Madison's Favorite Local/Regional Beer from 1998 to 2004 in the The Capital Times/Wisconsin State Journal Reader's Choice Awards. Capital Brewery was named "America's #1 Rated Brewery" by the Beverage Testing Institute's World Beer Championships in 1998. The brewery was also rated #7 in the world at this time. Capital Brewery’s beers are currently distributed in six Midwestern States: Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Ohio, and Missouri. Capital Brewery has a large beer garden that is host to events throughout the year. One of the more popular is Bockfest, held on the last Saturday in February. Bockfest celebrates and ushers in the annual release of Capital Blonde Doppelbock, Capital's most highly decorated brew. Blonde Doppelbock has been awarded platinum three times in the past eight years at the World Beer Championships.